Faiza Tehseen

Protecting the existing juniper forests and enhancing their cover can help ensure soil fertility, mitigate climate change impact and conserve water in Balochistan.

“Conservation and reafforestation of these forests is crucial for the region’s ecology and environmental safety,” says Mohammad Niaz Khan Kakar, Conservator Forests Quetta/Project Director – UPGG Wildlife and REDD+ Expert. Talking to WealthPK, he said, “Despite the natural importance of juniper forests, there are challenges to keep them well conserved and protected.” He said unsustainable logging for fuelwood was one of the major challenges.

“Young saplings grazed by livestock are also impeding the natural regeneration of junipers. Human encroachment, urbanisation, agricultural expansion, rising temperatures, and change in precipitation cycles, are drastically reducing the juniper forest cover in the province.”  He said that according to the information derived through Forest Management Information System (FMIS) in Balochistan, the total notified state forests of Ziarat covered an area of 264,925 hectares, but now only 75,791.6 hectares were under forest cover.

“About 32% of forest area is very dense, 33.94% dense while 33.27% area is only an open forest cover.” Kakar said, “Among some of the oldest juniper ecosystems on earth, with juniper trees that are more than 5,000 years old, forests of Ziarat are also exemplified as the “living fossils.” Unfortunately, this natural treasure is under a significant threat because of climate change, deforestation and over-grazing.” He said that juniper forests act as carbon sinks to mitigate the climate change impacts.

“Aiding in groundwater recharge, juniper greens play a vital role in influencing the local hydrology. So, they are a key partner in natural water conservation activities. These forests promote nutrient cycling of earth and reduce the soil erosion and degradation. As a natural habitat for a diverse and endemic range of flora and fauna, biodiversity protection is another prominent aspect of juniper forest.” Kakar said, “Innovative plantation programmes are essential to restore the degraded juniper forests.

Engaging local communities is also important to ensure the conservation, protection of forests and reafforestation activities.” To actively involve the local communities, he said there is a dire need to make them aware of these forests through discussions and workshops. “It will help bring a sense of ownership to them and ensure sustainability of forests.” “Along with the scientific approaches, utilising traditional knowledge in forest management is also crucial.

Involving youth in conservation activities is also important,” he stressed.  Talking to WealthPK, Muhammad Aatif Majeed, Deputy Director (Technical) Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar, said: “It is important to take measures to conserve the existing juniper forests.” He said to improve the adaptive management strategies, a regular follow up of scientific research related to the dynamics of juniper forests is crucial. “Establishment of maintenance system, especially in protected areas, is direly needed for biodiversity preservation on a long-term.”

Majeed stressed the need for collaboration between government agencies, international partners, local communities and other stakeholders for conservation, protection of existing juniper forests and reafforestation activities.  He also called for proper legislation and its enforcement to curb illegal logging. “It is also important to provide an alternative but sustainable income source to local communities in order to reduce their dependency on forest resources.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk